George N. Tobia, Jr.

Partner

Practice:

Bar Admissions:

California
Massachusetts

Experience:

Mr. Tobia’s practice is concentrated in the feature film, television, literary, radio, and music fields. He also has extensive experience representing clients from a diverse array of industries in the areas of copyright protection and transfer negotiation.

In the literary field, Mr. Tobia advises authors as well as publishers on all aspects of publishing, including copyright, multi-media, and the exploitation of subsidiary rights. His clients include some of the country’s most eminent authors and literary estates. On the film side, he regularly represents independent film companies in all aspects of production, as well as talent, rights holders and producers in studio film deals.

Mr. Tobia represents many media personalities in radio and television in the Boston and national markets. He also advises clients in all aspects of securing and protecting intellectual property assets and related clearance, protection and enforcement matters as well as in the development of electronic media projects.

Mr. Tobia also represents screenwriters, actors, film and television production companies, musicians and record labels on a national level. He represents clients who option and acquire properties for major feature film and television productions, as well as clients who transfer rights in such properties. He also negotiates merchandising deals, recording agreements, and soundtrack and music publishing deals for new as well as nationally-known artists.

Mr. Tobia has a Masters of Law in Taxation. With this background, he advises clients regarding complex financial transactions, including equity and debt financing for film production, and the monetization of film tax credits in all jurisdictions, including the current Massachusetts film tax credit. He structures transactions for new and expanding businesses and also counsels a variety of clients on general taxation matters.

Memberships:

Boston Bar Association

Phi Beta Kappa

Additional Information:

Mr. Tobia is a member of the Board of Directors for the Friends of the Commonwealth Museum.

Education:

LL.M., Taxation, Boston University School of Law, 1991

J.D., The University of Chicago Law School, 1986

B.A., summa cum laude, Boston University, 1983

Awards:

Mr. Tobia was selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® (2011-2015) in the field(s) of Entertainment Law - Motion Pictures & Television, and Entertainment Law - Music. Best Lawyers® is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey in which more than 52,000 leading attorneys throughout the country cast almost 5.5 million votes on the legal abilities of other lawyers in their practice areas. Inclusion in Best Lawyers® is considered a singular honor.

Mr. Tobia was selected for inclusion in Massachusetts Super Lawyers ® (2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004). Super Lawyers and Rising Stars employ an annual jurisdictional selection process. Only five percent of lawyers in the state were selected to the Super Lawyers list and 2.5 percent to the Rising Stars list. The listing appears annually in the November issue of Boston magazine and in New England Super Lawyers.

Mr. Tobia was honored as a distinguished alumnus of Boston University in August 2003.

6/27/2008, Boston Globe - Boston Globe "Names" section
George Tobia, who represents Hunter S. Thompson's estate, was quoted in this article about the film "Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson."

11/29/2007, Boston Globe - In artist's vision, an icon in the flesh
George Tobia was quoted in the article: "There's a First Amendment right to artistic expression"

11/20/2007, WGBH/PBS - Interview: "Greater Boston with Emily Rooney"
Mr. Tobia appeared on the show to discuss the ongoing strike of Writers Guild of America and the recent strike of Broadway stagehands in New York City.
George Tobia Interview

1/1/2007, WTKK FM 96.9 - Jay Severin Show
Attorneys David Grossman and George Tobia were mentioned by Jay Severin in his daily radio show.

12/19/2006, Boston Herald - Nightclub Racks up music suit
Geroge Tobia was quoted in this article by Jesse Noyes. The Rack nightclub is being sued by Broadcast Media Inc. for using songs such as "Mustang Sally" without permission. Mr. Tobia commented on the commonality of these types of suits, noting they are often resolved when the nightclub pays the necessary fee for using the songs.

9/26/2006, Boston Globe - Severin Coming Back to Boston
George Tobia was quoted in this article by Carol Beggy and Mark Shanahan.

9/12/2006, Boston Herald - Lopez Now Courts Payday With A Passion
George Tobia was quoted in this article by Margery Eagan. Attorney Tobia brokered the deal for Judge Maria Lopez's TV deal.

9/9/2006, Boston Herald - Courting Controversy
George Tobia was quoted in this article by Jessica Heslam. The article explored Judge Maria Lopez's new role as a TV judge.

4/24/2006, NECN - Harvard Author Faces Scruitny
George Tobia was interviewed by New England Cable News about Kaavya Viswanathan, the Harvard student who was accused of plagerism.

4/1/2006, Boston Magazine - The Show Must Go On
George Tobia was quoted in this article by Francis Storrs regarding whether or not the idea of the Neil Entwistle drama has cinematic potential.

3/31/2006, Boston Herald - Inside Track
George Tobia was quoted in this article for being the agent of Cape Cod comics George DeMartino and Wayne Soares. On March 2006, George DeMartino and Wayne Soares filmed a new pilot "Regular Joes" on a Fox Studios soundstage in front of a live audience.

8/22/2005, Rocky Mountain News - "Writer Lights Up Crowd in Grand Finale"
George Tobia was quoted in the article by Jeff Kass about the memorial celebration thrown for Hunter S. Thompson.

5/20/2005, The Boston Globe - "Real Men"
George Tobia was quoted in in the article by Carol Beggy and Mark Shanahan. It reads, "The thing about an archive is that treasures like this come trickling out over time," which is referring to a long lost play by Jack Kerouac.

3/24/2005, The Boston Globe - "Lawyers, Guns, and Money"
George Tobia was mentioned in the Names section for his involvement will the management of the trusts and estates of late writer Hunter S. Thompson.

3/23/2005, Boston.com - "Thompson's Will Calls for 'Gonzo Trust'"
George Tobia was quoted in the article in regards to Hunter S. Thompson's estate and trust.

3/10/2005, The Chicago Tribune - "Prestige Files"
George Tobia was quoted in the article, which discusses the "homes" of some famous documents, including the impending search for a home for the late Hunter S. Thompson's gonzo archives.

3/8/2005, The Boston Globe - "Fond Farewell"
George Tobia was mentioned in the section for his attendance at the memorial service for the late Hunter S. Thompson.

2/22/2005, The Boston Globe - "Quoted Notes"
George Tobia was quoted in the section regarding the suicide of Hunter S. Thompson.

6/9/2004, The Wall Street Journal - "Cubicle Culture"
George Tobia was quoted in the article by Jared Sandberg.

2/4/2004, The Boston Herald - "Inside Track"
George Tobia was quoted in the section regarding the new Disney Movie "Miracle."

9/1/2003, Boston Magazine - "The Hot List, the Rising Stars and the Best of the Arts this Fall"
George Tobia was included in the magazine's fall arts preview. As an entertainment lawyer, George was featured in the section entitled "ECT:Filmmakers/Producers/Agents/Promoters/Cross-Dressers."

4/27/2003, The Boston Sunday Globe - "The Go-To Guy"
George Tobia was profiled.

3/22/2002, The Boston Globe - "Names & Faces"
George Tobia appeared in the section because of his involvement with the Friends of the Mass Film Office's annual Oscar night party held in Boston.

3/21/2002, The Boston Herald - "Duo Fails to Clip Robin's Wings"
George Tobia was featured as attorney for Friends of the Mass Film Office in the section written by Gayle Fee and Laura Raposaas.

Speaking Engagements:

Boston Bar Association CLE Seminar, 5.18.2007Role: Panelist
Topic: Hot Topics in Media and Entertainment Law
Ms. Stenger spoke on issues in music industry litigation, including obtaining injunctive relief, joint ownership disputes, and state vs. federal court venue and jurisdiction. Mr. Tobia discussed the legal aspects of development of television pilots and series in a changing network and cable landscape.

Hot Topics in Arts, Entertainment & Sports, 6.19.2006
George Tobia was a panelist at the BBA CLE seminar, "Hot Topics in Arts, Entertainment & Sports" on May 19, 2006.